Source: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/g25329535/eco-friendly-christmas-ideas-green-christmas/
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, 2020 is finally coming to an end. Christmas is
fast approaching and who doesn’t love presents?
If you're environmentally conscious though, buying gifts that are wasteful or harm the planet might just make you cringe around the holiday season. How, then, can you manage your carbon footprint during a time that is marked by excess consumption patterns?
Well, we've put together a list of eco-friendly gift ideas for you to choose from, all of which can be sourced locally!
1. For the chocolate lover:
Christmas is the time for us chocoholics to shine. Locally made chocolates and/or chocolate products may just bring a smile to someone you care about.
Heliconia Cakery: a locally owned bakery that utilizes local and organic ingredients, non- plastic packaging and ethically sourced inputs. They offer a wide rang of baked goodies, like gorgeous layered cakes, mini cupcakes and cookie sets.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/heliconiacakery/
Chocolate products from the following sustainable, ethical local chocolatiers under the Alliance of Rural Communities (ARCTT) would make great stocking stuffers:
Sun Eaters Organics: infamous for delicious handcrafted chocolate bars that are packaged sustainably and made from organically grown cocoa beans, but that’s not all. They produce limited edition Christmas bars for only one month every year! It’s 65% intense dark chocolate with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and bay leaf. They also offer 100% organic cocoa powder that comes in zero waste packaging, perfect for a morning cup of hot chocolate on Christmas day!
Grand Riviere Chocolates: their 60% dark chocolate bars come in interesting flavors like cinnamon and orange. They also have 50% dark drinking chocolate available in cute sustainable packaging as well.
Brasso Seco Chocolates: check out their dark chocolate bars that come in flavors such as Sweet Crunch, Dark Crunch, Mocha and Espresso.
Biche & Cushe Chocolates: if you know someone who loves a lot of cocoa in their dark chocolate, these 70% and 80% handmade bars are perfect.
2. For the seasonal drink lover:
Trini Christmas is synonymous with drinks like ponche de crème, sorrel and wine.
Renaissance Punch a Crème uses organic, local eggs, glass bottle packaging and only regional spices so you can get that genuine taste of the Caribbean in every sip!
Drubees Wines and Liqueurs: Skip buying imported wine at the grocery store and try a bottle of locally made wine instead. You can choose from many interesting flavors, such as white sorrel, guava, ginger and plantain! Many different flavors of liqueurs are also available, such as sorrel and coffee. All local fruits and ingredients used.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/drubeeswines/
3. For the tea lover:
Surya Chai offers teas for your inner sun. The delicious teas boast various health benefits and are made from sustainably grown ingredients. No plastic is used in the packaging and the materials allow for reusability as well. She also offers fine mesh stainless steel infusers!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/suryachaimasala/
Shop these gorgeously packaged natural loose teas from Caribbean Cure. They have a unique selection of tea blends for any mood or occasion and these beautiful containers can be repurposed!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/caribbeancure/
4. For the beach lover:
Reusable, hand washable cotton beach bag from My Beach, My Water Ltd. that can be used on the beach, as well as grocery and other shopping. Dimensions: 35 cm x 45 cm.
Source: https://mbmw.store/
After sun lotion: a natural coconut-based lotion from My Beach, My Water Ltd that soothes and moisturizes the skin after a long day in the sun. Sold in refillable glass bottles available in 30 ml and 60 ml.
Did you know that when you swim with sunscreen on, chemicals like oxybenzone can seep into the water and disrupt coral's reproduction and growth cycles, ultimately leading to bleaching? Wakeful Wonders has recognized this problem and has developed an organic reef safe sunscreen.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/wakefulwonders/
5. For the kids:
Shore Buddies: Stuffed marine animals with authentic sound effects from My Beach, My Water Ltd. Shore Buddies available include Sammy the Seal, Shelly the Sea Turtle and Finn the Dolphin.
Made from recycled plastic bottles, each Shore Buddy plays an authentic animal sound when pressed. But that’s not even the best part. $1 from every purchase is donated towards an ocean-minded non-profit organization!
Source: https://mbmw.store/
6. For the jewelry lover:
Noelia’s Paper Jewelry is handmade from recycled materials such as calendars, magazines and gift paper. How cool is that? They offer stylish paper earrings, necklaces, anklets, glass and wooden earrings, waist beads and semi-precious stones.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/noelias_paper_jewelery/
There are beautiful glass bead bracelets available from Turtle Warrior as well! They are handcrafted in Matura and made of recycled glass. No single use plastics to harm the sea creatures!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/turtlewarriortt/
7. For the makeup and skincare lover:
Disposable cotton pads are often blended with synthetic materials and are impossible to recycle. Crochet Face Scrubbies by Simply Escape are a great eco-friendly alternative as they are 100% cotton and reusable and re-washable. They are available in a variety of colors and are a great investment because they can last for years.
Most glitter products are made from plastic, which contributes to the growing problem of microplastics in the environment. It seems all that glitters is NOT gold. However, Eco-Minded Supplies has provided a biodegradable alternative that is not only limited to cosmetic use but can also be used in arts & crafts, school activities and more!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/ecomindedsuppliestt/
Vegan handcrafted soaps containing natural ingredients and essential oils with eco-friendly packaging from Ai Naturals. Soaps include Saffron & Charcoal, Paw Paw & Tomato and Goat’s Milk. Each bar offers a variety of skin benefits!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/ai_naturals/
Body butters from MustardSeed Naturals packaged in reusable tins and named after places and terms from our beautiful twin isle. They also carry body scrubs and foot soaks, all made from natural ingredients and packaged using zero-waste materials!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/musnaturals/
8. For the pet lover:
If you opt to get something for your pet this Christmas, why not get them a new eco-friendly bed from Zay’s Recycled Tyres?
Source: https://www.instagram.com/zays_recycledtyres/
9. For the guys:
Harmony Eco has made the Leaf Razor accessible locally! Originally invented by Leaf Shave, it is a great alternative to disposable plastic cartridges and provides a fearless and flawless, plastic-free shave. Avoid dumping huge chunks of un-recyclable plastic every couple weeks or months with this amazing, sustainable product.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyeco/
10. For the beginner:
If someone you love wants to start their journey to go green, why not gift them a starter kit to make the transition easier? Here are some ideas:
Brita 20 oz Premium Filtering Stainless Steel Water Bottle (BPA-free) from My Beach, My Water Ltd.
Source: https://mbmw.store/
Eco friendly stainless-steel telescopic straws from Planet Modern. They are available in Rose Gold, Silver, Black and Gold and come with a cleaning brush and carrying case with keychain.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/planet_modern/
Anti-Bug Sunscreen Sticks from Wakeful Wonders that glide on smoothly and stays on for more than an hour before having to reapply. These easy to use sticks are packaged using no waste products and come in two sizes; 1oz and 3oz. Perfect for those that love hiking!
Beeswax wraps from Harmony Eco are a super easy switch to make in your kitchen. An earth friendly way to store your food and keep it fresh. Reusable, plastic free and better for your food!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyeco/
Shampoo and conditioner bars from Eco-Minded Supplies that are suitable for all hair types and free of preservatives and palm oil. Packaged in an aluminum tin, each 2.3oz bar is equivalent to 2 16oz bottles of liquid shampoo!
Source: https://www.instagram.com/ecomindedsuppliestt/
Please note that this post is NOT sponsored.
This is just a small sample of what’s out there so please feel free to explore other eco-minded local businesses for other great presents! You can always check out Junckollage Gypsy Caravan, as well as pop-up shops at venues all over the country that host small vendors and their products.
To close, here is a great alternative to traditional wrapping paper, available from Eco-Minded Supplies
Source: https://www.instagram.com/ecomindedsuppliestt/
Happy shopping!
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